A humorous look at the companies that caught our eye, for better or worse, this week.
Macy's (STAR)
Nothing like a few thousand layoffs to put a smile on the face of investors. Even as U.S. retailer Macy’s posted solid same-store sales growth of 3.6 per cent in November and December, the company thanked its staff by announcing 2,500 job cuts and closing five underperforming stores. Employees may be out in the cold, but judging by the stock’s gains, investors are feeling all warm and cozy about the company’s plans to save $100-million a year.
M (NYSE), $55.84 (U.S.)
up $2.30 or 4.3% over week
The Container Store (DOG)
The Container Store sells closet organizers, shoe racks and shelving units that help you clean up the clutter in your life. Unfortunately, its finances are still a mess: In its first results since going public in early November, the company posted a third-quarter loss of $10.2-million – including IPO-related costs – and projected full-year sales that slightly trailed analyst estimates. Shareholders are having trouble containing their disappointment.
TCS (NYSE), $39.45 (U.S.)
down $3.21 or 7.5% over week
Twitter (DOG)
There once was a business named Twitter
Whose stock price did famously glitter
But as confidence fell
And the “buys” turned to “sells”
Investors were feeling quite bitter
TWTR (NYSE), $57 (U.S.)
down $12 or 17.4% over week
Select Comfort
Select Comfort’s mattresses are supposed to provide a good night’s sleep. But the stock is giving investors a bad case of insomnia. Citing a “tepid holiday shopping season,” the maker of Sleep Number beds said it expects fourth-quarter earnings will come in below guidance, which it already lowered in October. With the company bracing for a tough 2014, investors could be tossing and turning for a while.
SCSS (Nasdaq), $17.51 (U.S.)
down $3.84 or 18% over week
Valeant Pharmaceuticals (STAR)
This is one stock that’s definitely on drugs. Fresh from posting a 139-per-cent gain last year, shares of acquisition-hungry Valeant Pharmaceuticals soared on bullish comments from CEO Michael Pearson, who said he wants to crack the top five global drug makers by 2016. “Unless you aim high, you don’t achieve high,” he told analysts and investors on a conference call. High? See, I told you.
VRX (TSX), $145.50
up $20.88 or 16.7% over week